Bortle Class 1 · Erg Chegaga · Morocco
Stargazing in
the Sahara
Bortle Class 1, the darkest class on the scale. The Milky Way overhead. Shooting stars every minute. And the name Umnya means "make a wish."
See Dates and PricesChoose Your Edition
Two new-moon dates a year, twelve places each
Next Departure
March 5, 2027 to March 11, 2027
12 of 12 places left
€2290
Standard price
Reserve This EditionPlaces reflect real availability and are updated as reservations are confirmed. Reserve with a 20% deposit, or pay in full and save 10%.
The Dark Sky
Bortle Class 1: What That Means
The Bortle scale measures light pollution from 1 (absolute darkness, no artificial light) to 9 (inner-city sky). Erg Chegaga registers as Bortle Class 1, the darkest class on the scale.
In practical terms: the zodiacal light is visible, the Milky Way casts shadows on the sand, M33 (the Triangulum Galaxy) is visible to the naked eye, and the airglow of the upper atmosphere is perceptible. You will see things here that simply cannot be seen from a city, or even a village.
Erg Chegaga has no settlements within 40 km in any direction. The nearest town is M'Hamid, population 2,000, which contributes negligible light pollution. The result is a sky with very little artificial light.
1
Bortle Class
The darkest class on the scale
300+
Clear nights/year
Dry desert climate
~0
Light pollution
No settlement within 40 km
Naked eye
Milky Way
Fully visible on clear nights
What You Will See
A clear night in Erg Chegaga, month by month
Milky Way Core
The dense band of our galaxy, visible at full resolution. Arches overhead from horizon to horizon on cloudless nights.
Saturn's Rings
Through our telescopes, the rings of Saturn are clearly visible, often the single most breathtaking sight for first-time observers.
Jupiter's Moons
Up to four of Jupiter's Galilean moons visible through a small telescope, the same view that changed human understanding of the solar system.
Shooting Stars
Multiple shooting stars per minute on clear nights. The Geminid meteor shower in December produces dozens per hour.
Andromeda Galaxy
The Andromeda Galaxy (M31), 2.5 million light-years away, is visible to the naked eye on dark nights, appearing as a smudge of light.
Star Clusters & Nebulae
The Pleiades, Beehive Cluster, Orion Nebula and dozens of other deep-sky objects visible with the naked eye or through our telescopes.
The Name
Umnya, أُمنية
Umnya is an Arabic and Berber word meaning "wish", a deep desire, a hope, an intention offered to the night sky. In Erg Chegaga, shooting stars cross the horizon every minute on clear nights. We chose the name deliberately.
Umnya. Make a wish.
At Camp
Guided Stargazing Sessions
Each evening after dinner, telescopes are set up in the open desert away from camp. A team member who has spent years under these skies guides guests through what they are seeing, mythology, science, navigation, the Berber names for stars that have no equivalent in European catalogues.
Sessions run for 60 to 90 minutes and are included in every stay. Private or extended sessions for astrophotographers, astronomy enthusiasts or groups can be arranged on request.
- Telescopes provided, no equipment needed
- Guided session every clear night after dinner
- 60 to 90 minutes, open-air in the dunes
- Naked-eye tour + deep-sky telescope views
- Extended astrophotography sessions on request
- Star maps and constellation cards provided
For Photographers
Astrophotography in Erg Chegaga
The combination of dark sky, dry air, minimal wind in the early hours and the dramatic silhouette of 300-metre dunes makes Erg Chegaga one of the best astrophotography locations in the world.
The new moon period offers the deepest sky for Milky Way photography. We can advise on lunar calendars, optimal shooting positions and settings for the conditions on any given night.
Dedicated astrophotography retreats, 3 or 5 nights scheduled around new moon, with expert-guided shooting sessions, are available on request.
Best Times for Stargazing
Excellent
Clear, dry skies. Cool nights ideal for long exposures.
Exceptional
Winter transparency. Orion, Taurus, Pleiades at their best.
Best meteor shower
Geminids, the most prolific annual shower, 120+ per hour.
Darkest sky
Best for Milky Way photography. We can check lunar calendar for your dates.
Make your wish
Book a Stargazing Stay in the Sahara
Tell us your dates and whether you're interested in astrophotography. We'll advise on the best lunar conditions and craft your proposal.
FAQ, Stargazing Morocco
Is Morocco good for stargazing?
Where can you stargaze in Morocco?
What is Bortle Class and what class is Erg Chegaga?
Can I photograph the Milky Way in Morocco?
Does Umnya Desert Camp have telescopes?
When is the best time to stargaze in the Moroccan Sahara?
Where can you stargaze in Morocco?
What can you see when stargazing in the Moroccan Sahara?
What is astrotourism in Morocco?
What is your cancellation and refund policy?
What if it is cloudy during my stay?
Do I need my own camera or telescope?
A Bortle 1 sky is wasted on a crowd. The camp has eight tent suites for 2 to 18 guests, so there is never a queue at the telescope, and a group that takes the whole camp has the fire and the whole horizon to itself. That is how a retreat week is built here: see hosting your retreat at the camp.
Private buyout
Ask for your dates
The whole camp for your group, from two guests to eighteen. Tell us when and how many of you: a written proposal for the whole camp comes back within 24 hours, with no commitment.
-
2019
Open since
-
4.8★
TripAdvisor
-
8 tents
The camp to yourselves
-
24h
A written proposal, no commitment
